Radio Frequency Announcement

The Radio Authority is to announce its decision on the future use of the spare frequencies, between 105 and 108 FM tomorrow.

The spare frequencies will become available from the beginning of 1996; the options for their use are:

• A fourth INR station, available to 90% of the population
• A further ILR service in each area
• A network of local services
• A combination of the above

The industry call to the Radio Authority has been for a fourth INR station, while local community radio stations have called for an extension to the local licenses.

Virgin hopes to win the FM frequencies for their own use, to enable the transfer from AM. The Henley Centre have backed up Virgin’s claim, agreeing that the best use for the bands is a national pop/rock station. This would best satisfy listeners as well as advertisers and their agencies, and would safeguard the UK radio industry.

Also supporting a national station was the Association of Media Independents, who submitted to the Radio Authority that there are enough local stations, and any increase in local services would deprive the existing stations of ad revenue.

The Radio Authority is to announce its decision tomorrow at 11am.

Radio Authority 071 430 2724